01994 - General Rufus Ingalls coach dog; City Point, Virginia, March 1865 [LC-DIG-cwpb-01994]
General Rufus Ingalls graduated from West Point with Ulysses Grant in 1843. Serving much of his early career in the west and by the time of the Civil War he as a Captain. His skills in the area of logistics became apparent during the Peninsula Campaign when he was made Chief Quartermaster of the Army of the Potomac. Promoted quickly through the ranks he eventually reach the rank of Major General.
In 1864 he took charge of the huge supply depot at City Point, Virginia. During that time he had at least five pictures taken of this coach dog. While the name of the dog has been lost to history we have great images such as this that remind us that soldiers took not only horses, mules and other services animals to war, but even the occasional household pet.
![01994 - General Rufus Ingalls coach dog; City Point, Virginia, March 1865 [LC-DIG-cwpb-01994]](/img/s/v-10/p1324525686-3.jpg)